[ZinGirl]

We firest went to this area last summer. stayed in Black Bear Ridge, then, too (which is why i picked it for a mini-vacation last week. :( )

we fell in love with that area of TN. Had never been anywhere near the Smokies before.

Sevier County/Wears Valley just stayed in my heart ever since last July. Couldn't wait to get back. (yes...figured out some backroads to avoid 441!)

It's a fine part of our country with some really fine people.

Your wife's family must be grieving. I'm so, so sorry.

[ken5050]

I'm skimming the headlines on FR somewhat groggily this morning.....too many Killian's yesterday..and I mistakenly read it as "Bollywood"..and I'm momentarily thinking.."why is this such big news?"

[cva66snipe]

Your wife's family must be grieving. I'm so, so sorry.

Her great grandparents moved out out the county in about 1920 for Arkansas then some of the family came back to East Tennessee :>}.

[Yosemitest]

You should do a one week or two week vacation driving and seeing the "Skyline Drive Parkway" starting in Front Royal, VA and going southwest to the "Blue Ridge Parkway" ending in Highway 441, close to Cherokee, NC.

Check out the Shenandoah Vacation Package Options (the old name before they changed it to Skyline Drive Parkway) for hotel reservations, for the Skyline Drive Parkway.
Then check out the for the Blue Ridge Parkway, ( I really liked "The Peaks of Otter Lodge" and "Mabry Mill").
Whatever you do, do NOT rush this, but do it right.
Only travel the parkways in daylight, so you can see the beauty.
Stop and see the sights and walk some of the trails.

[TSgt]

My wife and I just recently purchased a cabin in Gatlinburg. It was a dream come true but a lot of hard work and investment.

My heart goes out to these owners, I hope they have rental loss insurance.

This is the best site for cabin foreclosures:

http://www.smoky-mountain-properties.com/foreclosures.htm